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Transmission fluid change

November 4th, 2017, 09:00 AM

So since i had no idea when the transmission fluid was changed before, i decided to do it now.
I had ordered a new filter and pan gasket a while ago.
On the dipstick the fluid had a light red/brown color, but while draining the pan, the fluid looked quite dark.
In the pan is a small magnet, which has quite some very fine metal on it (more like metal dust mixed with fluid). There are also some glinsters in the fluid under in the pan. And a thin layer of a dark mudlike substance. The last i presume to be worn friction material. The transmission internals look very clean.
I was checking how to adjust the front band, but the manual mentions a special tool. Can the adjustment be done without special tool?
To my surprise the new filter has the filter screen on the top side, where it connects to the pump inlets, while the old one has the screen on the lower side. Can it be used like this?

To my surprise the new filter has the filter screen on the top side, where it connects to the pump inlets, while the old one has the screen on the lower side. Can it be used like this?

The filter sits in the fluid so it really doesn't matter where the screen is as long as it prevents anything harmful from getting into the pickup. I can't say I've ever replaced a filter. The original one is metal mesh and a good cleaning is all it really needs.

Comment

Thanks John. I bought a filter kit with the filter and seal. The old filter/screen seems to be ok, only the opening for the pump inlets seems to be a bit too large. I will try the new filter/screen.
Any idea on how to adjust the front band without special tool?

Comment

Some googling showed that the special tool is in fact a 1/4 " piece of metal spacer which should be held in between the adjusting screw and the servo piston stem.
The screw should be torqued to 10 "lbs. Then the spacer must be removed and the screw loosened 1 full turn and then the locknut fastened. Will try this tomorrow.

Comment

FRONT BAND ADJUSTMENT
1. Remove trans oil pan and back off the adjusting screw lock nut and adjusting screw far enough to insert a ¼ wide metal block in between the servo piston rod and the adjusting screw.

2. Turn the screw until it contacts the metal block. Then tighten screw LIGHTLY (about 10 inch pounds) then back off one full turn.
3. Hold the adjustment screw and tighten the lock nut to 20-25 foot pounds.

REAR BAND ADJUSTMENT
1. Loosen the lock nut and tighten the adjusting screw to 10 foot pounds.
2. Back off the adjusting screw 1-½ turns and tighten the lock nut to 35-40 foot pounds.

Comment

Thanks for the answer Dave.
Regarding your question, i even didn“t see it before. I did answer to a question in that post, but didn“t follow what was coming after.
But yeh, you are right, its about time to become a paying member on here.

Comment

So i just checked and adjusted the front band. Used a 1/4" extension as the adjusting block. It was not far of though.
The new filter (brand Pioneer)unfortunately doesn“t fit. It looks very much the same as the old filter, only the large hole is not large enough to fit the pump inlet. Or it must go on with quite some force, which i doubt. The old filter has a 7/8" opening, while the new one is 27/32". The old filter is not a metal mesh filter, it is some kind of nylon mesh.
Also there is a (small) difference in the distance between the two holes. Bought this filter from Rockauto.
Then something else, the fluid. Here in Brazil i can“t find any type F fluid. Also not sure what was used in it before, but the car came with a small bottle of Dexron III. (which could be for the power steering). Is there any modern fluid which can be used safely?

Comment

Which set did you buy. I'm pretty sure ATP-B41 is the correct filter and gasket set. I believe Rockauto has the incorrect listing. They show B33 which I think is the large case (430) filter. I would call and see if you can return it and get the correct one.

Comment

John is correct on the B-41 filter. The other one is also for a medium case Cruise-O-Matic but for later years, not the Large case. The part number trail from the Ford part to aftermarket gets quite involved and has a few errors.

Comment

The pan seal in the kit has the exact size. I think I will go for the "cleaning the old filter" option, since sending a new filter will take several weeks and the shipping costs will be just too expensive.
Looking at the Rockauto site for the ATP-B41 filter kit, I see also two O-rings in the kit, are they suppost to go on the pump inlets? There was nothing on it now and also nothing in the kit I received.
And is there an alternative for the fluid type F? Can“t find it in Brazil.

Comment

Frank:
We'll see what some of the old timers say about this, but I recently had my trans rebuilt by a shop that works on a lot of the old Ford COM's etc and when I ask them what they use for fluid, they told me DEX/Merc. Don't have a lot of miles on the tranny, but that is what they use. Here's a link to the Castrol site that says it is okay for older Fords. https://www.castrol.com/en_cc/ccsa/p...-dex-merc.html
Nyles

Comment

Frank:
We'll see what some of the old timers say about this, but I recently had my trans rebuilt by a shop that works on a lot of the old Ford COM's etc and when I ask them what they use for fluid, they told me DEX/Merc. Don't have a lot of miles on the tranny, but that is what they use. Here's a link to the Castrol site that says it is okay for older Fords. https://www.castrol.com/en_cc/ccsa/p...-dex-merc.html
Nyles

Old original transmissons need the type F but recently rebuilt ones have different face material on the friction surfaces and modern fluids can be used with them.
Or so I'm led to believe.

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